Error Lights and Malfunction Messages after lift and alignment

I have a 2023 ORP with KDSS. Last week, I had factory-sized BFG TA KO2s installed. Yesterday I had a local shop install a Cornfed 1" front-only spacer lift and do an alignment. When I got it back last night, the dash had 3 error lights on, and the center display alternated the messages "Pre-Collison System Malfunction" and "Cruise Control Malfunction." Has anyone ever run into this before? Cornfed was helpful and told me that it was likely a computer issue that came up when the shop hooked the alignment computer to my vehicle. I called a local Toyota dealership, and they said it probably needed software re-downloaded and sensors recalibrated. Before I took it to a dealership and paid them to do this, I wanted to make sure this group didn't know of a DIY fix. Thanks!

 

Usually (not always) when this happens, it's because something wasn't reconnected properly. A 1" lift should cause zero issues; and (I could be wrong) nothing needs to be re-calibrated.

 

Lifting the new models with radar cruise creates issues most times.

 

Unfortunately, since I had the lift and the alignment done at the same place and time, I don't know which piece caused the issue. Per Cornfed, it's when the alignment computer is hooked to the car to recalibrate stuff in the process. Per my local shop, they hooked their alignment computer to the vehicle to reset the steering angle. I'm at a loss, but I figure I can't be the first person this has happened to. My hope is that someone has a DIY hack to make things work normally again to keep me from going to the dealer and giving them some money.

 

Lifting the front changed the angle of the front sensor. You can see if the dealership can recalibrate the front sensor, lift the rear or find a sensor relocating bracket. Sone threads on the tundra forum

 

I don’t think that has been the experience of most people doing 2 to 3 in lifts. I had no issues with my radar cruise or any other errors after going through several changes in suspension ride height. No issues after alignment done (seperately from lift).

Most often, errors that show up after a lift are due to damaged abs sensors wires. It’s easy to damage them if you don’t take them off their brackets when doing the lift.

I suppose there could be errors if they “recalibrated” something in the system after changing the steering angle. Maybe it was a zero point calibration they tried (or didn’t of they needed to). Do you see the display in the dash that shows steering angle? Does it seem to be indicating correctly? If not, maybe it needs a zero point calibration. Not sure, just taking some guesses.

 

The steering angle display seems to not be indicating an angle at all, so maybe all that is needed is a zero point calibration.

 

You might be able to find a youtube vid on how to that yourself. Not that you will, but it may help understanding if that might be your problem.

 

Same issue, I'm still driving around like that (no time for dealer). Super annoying.

I've seen plenty of examples poking around online, all occuring at the alignment stage and no evidence of an alignment shop damaging a wire or fouling a connector. I agree that it doesn't need calibrating--I did a preload lift, got an alignment, added a bumper/winch, then swapped the springs and it was perfectly fine at all those different heights and angles until the most recent alignment.

Very curious what alignment shops are doing with lifted vehicles that's making them freak out. Who wants to load up their stocker's cargo area with bricks and go to Firestone--for science?

 

I had zero issues putting stock size KO2s, a 1" cornfed spacer (half inch actual spacer size), and alignment. Everything working normally as designed. Did the spacers myself as I don't know (yet) of a trustworthy shop in my AO.

ETA: It's a brand new 2023.

 

I had an alignment done on my 2021 with zero issues. I have also had the rear loaded down to sag an inch (sometimes more) which should theoretically be similar to raising the front an inch and no issues.

 

Makes one wonder if the re calibration through an aftermarket alignment tool could possibly be causing issues especially if some sort of proprietary equipment is used/required by Toyota in the 23s.

 

Did they leave the keys inside the 4runner when the lift was done. You cannot do that. Westcott lift has a video on that.

 

Been happening to some lifted 4runners since 2020 when PCS was added to 4runners.
There are some longs threads on it.

 

I think these issues come when incompetent shops do lifts. Hope the lift shop pay the dealership bill which may have caused by poor workmanship.

 

Still think it's the alignment shop resetting steering angle after a large adjustment. Has anyone tried a zero point calibration/yaw rate reset in response to this error?

 

I don't know if the key fob was removed or not. I would assume it wasn't, but I'm not sure. Mine is a 23 ORP so it has the push button start. I'm leaning towards the computer of the alignment machine not playing well with the vehicle software.

 

Is this something that can be done by me as the owner or will it need to be done by a dealership?

 

Seems like a logical reason to me.

 

This should only be done by a qualified alignment shop with the right equipment to perform the alignment and then do the "zero point calibration/yaw rate reset".

 

I have only one option for an alignment locally and that's how I got in this predicament in the first place, so it looks like I'm headed to the dealership. I'll update this thread with what has to be done so everyone will know.

 

The precollision message is definitely the plug from the front that was somehow moved and not properly put it back in the right spot. You can actually trace this yourself. Just take time and be patience with it. The second one....uhm....not sure why that one would move....something in the back was moved. I think you need to remove the tires in the back and check all lines to see if any is lose. Don't worry too much...it will get sorted it out.

 

Be prepared for the dealer to tell you the radar is bad, not covered by warranty due to lift.

I would scan the car first to see what the computer says. It could be a broken abs wire, which is a common error. No suspension /alignment work would require unplugging the radar.

If the dealer quotes you a huge bill, check with a local reputable body shop to see if they can recalibrate or know someone who can.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will ask for a scan first at the dealership.

 

I am going through this exact same thing right now. Did the rough country (its a road queen) 3" up front and 2" out back lift (spacer style). Had no problems until the alignment shop did their work (big O). Had no lights until they calibrated the steering angle sensor after the alignment. Even went back and had them try to do it again cuz i thought they screwed it up. The manager showed me what the alignment computer said, "cannot overwrite manufacturer settings." The alignment tech did it 4 times in a row, no luck.

So I decided to buy a new scan tool to see if i could fix it (needed an upgrade anyway). Innova 5610 bi directional tool. It has the menu to select ZPC but is not supported yet. Innova says its not going to be supported in the 2024 update either. I figure toyota hasn't released the calibration files to aftermarket support yet, since big Os machine and innovas software arent offering those calibrations.

Now, I bought a techstream cord from Amazon and am going to subscribe to techstream to figure this junk out.

I know someone is going to say i screwed up the sensors when i did the lift, blah blah blah.... thats what internet mechanics do. I didnt, this is a software issue that toyota is boning theyre customers on. If i figure it out this week ill be posting the solution. If not i guess ill drive 3hrs to the nearest dealer and pay the 500 bones or whatever. Toyota pisses me off.

 

Hey man, good luck and please keep us posted. I haven't had the time to deal with mine yet, so just driving with the Christmas tree dash for the holidays. As a bonus, with so many lights it's super easy to miss the tire pressure or fuel warnings.

What year is your ride, and does your scanner have ABS features?

 

2021 4runner Offroad premium all the bells and wistles....

The Innova 5610 has ABS, Pre-collison, TPMS, and tons of special tests (like commanding a shift solenoid in the transmission). Its about as good as it gets up until you go to a tablet style or laptop. However, alot of things on the 4runner are not supported yet (stupid toyota corporate A-holes). Its fully functional on 2011 dirtymax.

I could clear Pre collision codes on the 4runner with the 5610 but they come right back as the steering angle sensor is calibrated wrong (no wheels on the display). So when i get the techstream software up and goin, this week hopefully, im gonna start with steering angle sensor calibration and see what that clears up. It makes sense that if the pre-collision system doesnt know which direction the tires are pointing then it doesnt which wheels to apply braking to in order to avoid collision. Same goes with traction control and stability control.

I bet in 2 more years, we can all be pissed to find out that toyota has a secret button combination to calibrate this trash in your driveway.

 

Yeah I'm in the exact same boat (except at least one dealer is closer). No steering angle displayed since reset by the alignment shop.

Someone else had a very similar issue that was fixed by clearing an ABS code, but that one seemed like a shot the the dark here. Glad I didn't buy the scanner. Looked into techstream but I'd need a non-work laptop too.

I also have multiple chips in the windshield so I'm tempted to just schedule service for that and see what happens, since it requires a calibration anyway.

The TSB for this fault on lifted vehicles is straight up garbage, if they even mention it I'm ditching that dealer for life.

 

I havent seen the TSB for this, can you post it in here?

 

current status of my 4runner:
c120a ECU initial setting incomplete (listed in ABS/VSC/TRAC)
c1a50 Brake system malfunction (this was stored in pre-collision system)

P1578 Brake system (not displayed until I turned cruise control on, now its on and not clearable)